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A More ‘Ample’ Definition of Love

Here is a more complete, more
comprehensive, better detailed definition of love for those who want
something more specific than the brief, basic, working definition
previously provided. This more ample definition includes all the
components of the shorter definition but augments it by integrating the
functional aspects of love. It also gives you more to work with for
developing a really good understanding of healthy real love.

Formerly stated the more ample, working definition of love is:
Healthy real love is a powerful, vital, natural process of highly
valuing, desiring for, often acting for, and taking pleasure in the well
being of the loved. Love is further defined as that natural process
which functions to (1.) personally and profoundly connect us (with
others and internally), (2.) provide effective, balanced safeguarding
of the loved, (3.) endeavor for the development and improvement of the
loved in multiple, healthful ways, (4.) bring about healing and
maximize recovery from sickness and injury of the loved, (5.) reward and
reinforce us for behaving from and with love via the many joys of love.

This more ample, working definition of healthy real
love assists us to have a dynamic understanding of love and what can be
seen as love’s purpose. This more ample definition also is useful for
comparison with false forms of love which tend not to produce one, or
more, of the five functions of love mentioned. Furthermore, this more
ample definition may be more satisfying to those desiring a fuller, more
delineated, functional and practical definition of healthy real love.

This definition is aimed at assisting thoughtful
people to have a broad, practical understanding of healthy real love in a
way that might be pragmatically applicable in both extremes and in
everyday life. It is designed to help people think about love in more
exact terms, reduce the usual confusion about love’s meaning, and to a
degree demythologize love while at the same time illuminating love’s
magnificence, and emphasizing its incredible importance. I use the
term ‘working definition’ to show that this definition is open to future
research revelations and enhancements. Thus, this definition is seen
as something you can work with to both understand and actualize love’s
marvelously widespread potential for bringing about improvements in
almost all life conditions.

Some readers might want to add special factors
carrying this definition even further. Behaviorists could add an
operational type definition involving the actions associated with
healthy real love. Certain religionists might want to add a spiritual
dimension. Those in the biological and brain sciences could amplify
this definition with physiological understandings. Romantics might want
to emphasize and delineate artistic and the feeling aspects of love
more thoroughly. Nevertheless, this more ample working definition is
seen as offering a short, simple, yet fairly comprehensive way to
understand the nature and dynamics of healthy real love.

For those wishing to have a good cognitive
understanding of love it is suggested that each aspect of this
definition be carefully studied and contemplated. It is further
suggested that each aspect of this definition be considered and compared
with your own personal, emotional and behavioral experiences related to
love. It also might be a good thing to factor in an understanding of
how your culture and your upbringing may direct your thinking, feeling
and behaving about love. Alas, understanding love cognitively is still
no easy matter, even with a good definition. However, hopefully with
this working definition it is a lot clearer and easier. Also hopefully
this definition can help you put more love in your life and into the
lives of those you care about.

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